More often than not, vintage mid-century Brazilian furniture designs, with their gleaming wood, soft leathers and inviting shapes, share a sensuous, unique quality that distinguishes them from the more rectilinear output of American and Scandinavian makers of the same era.
Commencing in the 1940s and '50s, a group of architects and designers transformed the local cultural landscape in Brazil, merging the modernist vernacular popular in Europe and the United States with the South American country's traditional techniques and indigenous materials.
Key mid-century influencers on Brazilian furniture design include natives Oscar Niemeyer, Sergio Rodrigues and José Zanine Caldas as well as such European immigrants as Joaquim Tenreiro, Jean Gillon and Jorge Zalszupin. These creators frequently collaborated; for instance, Niemeyer, an internationally acclaimed architect, commissioned many of them to furnish his residential and institutional buildings.
The popularity of Brazilian modern furniture has made household names of these designers and other greats. Their particular brand of modernism is characterized by an émigré point of view (some were Lithuanian, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, and Italian), a preference for highly figured indigenous Brazilian woods, a reverence for nature as an inspiration and an atelier or small-production mentality.
Hallmarks of Brazilian mid-century design include smooth, sculptural forms and the use of native woods like rosewood, jacaranda and pequi. The work of designers today exhibits many of the same qualities, though with a marked interest in exploring new materials (witness the Campana Brothers' stuffed-animal chairs) and an emphasis on looking inward rather than to other countries for inspiration.
Find a collection of vintage Brazilian furniture on 1stDibs that includes chairs, sofas, tables and more.
Atelier Forjaz, Brazilian Ceramics - Vase, c. 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Atelier Forjaz Brazilian Ceramics - Vase, c. 1950 Signed "Forgez" under the base Enameled ceramic in yellow and black. 29 x 10 x 10 cm 11 21/50 x 3 47/50 x 3 47/50 in Dating from th...
Enamel
Francisco Brennand. Ceramic egg, c. 1970. Stamp of the Manufacture
By Francisco Brennand
Located in PARIS, FR
Francisco Brennand - Recife - Brazil (1927-2019) Ceramic egg, c. 1970 Stamp of the Manufacture "Oficina Brennand (made in Brazil)" Historical piece Enameled ceramics 13 x 8 x 8 cm 5 ...
Enamel
Taukana Regui Wauja. Indigenous ceramics "Tatu", 2020
Located in PARIS, FR
Taukana Regui Wauja Indigenous Ceramic "Tatu", 2020 This unique ceramic sculpture titled Tatu was created in 2020 by Taukana Regui Wauja, an Indigenous artist from the Wauja communit...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Weiss. Brazilian Modern Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 / 27 x 11 x 11 cm
By Weiss
Located in PARIS, FR
Weiss Brazilian Modern Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 This modern Brazilian ceramic vase, produced circa 1950, is a refined example of mid-century ceramic artistry. Signed under the base with...
Enamel
Modern Brazilian Ceramics. Enameled ceramic vase, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
This modern Brazilian ceramic represents an elegant vase, created around the 1960s. Made of enamelled ceramics, this artistic object embodies the contemporary aesthetics of the time....
Enamel
Modern Brazilian Ceramics. Enamelled Ceramic Vase, c. 1950. 18.5 x 15 x 12 cm
Located in PARIS, FR
This modern Brazilian ceramic vase dates from about 1950. Made from glazed ceramic in shades of green, black and white, it measures 18.5 cm high, 15 cm wide and 12 cm deep. The use ...
Enamel
Modern Brazilian ceramic. Ceramic vase, c. 1950. Enamelled polychrome ceramic
Located in PARIS, FR
Modern Brazilian Ceramics Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 This elegant Brazilian ceramic vase, dating from circa 1950, is a refined example of mid-century modern craftsmanship. Made from enam...
Enamel
Brazilian Tupy Ceramics. Ceramic ashtray, Brazil, c. 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Céramique Tupy Ceramic ashtray, c. 1950 Signed and numbered under the base Enameled polychrome ceramic 9 x 19 x 8 cm 3 27/50 x 7 12/25 x 3 3/20 in Tupy ceramic ashtray, made around ...
Enamel
Solitary vase/ Ceramic Tupy - modern Brazilian ceramics, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Céramique Tupy Solitary vase - Brazilian modern ceramic, c. 1960 Signed and numbered under the base Polychrome and enamelled ceramics 21 x 11 x 8 cm 8 27/100 x 4 33/100 x 3 3/20 in ...
Enamel
Spanish Ceramic Vase by Serra, 1960s
By Josep Serra, Cerámica Serra
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury Green, White and Black Striped Ceramic Vase by Serra. A beautiful striped glazed ceramic vase Manufacured by Cerámicas Serra, Spain, 1960s Designed by Josep Serra. This colorful terracotta ceramic vase has stripes in green, black and shades of gray on a white background. Signed ' Serra' underneath. It can be placed alone used as decorative vase or flower vase but it would be nice also as a part of a collection of ceramic vase. Measures: 25 cm height x 11.5 cm diameter About Serra: Serra ceramics factory was a well known ceramics catalan manufacturer with three generations of ceramists. The workshop was founded by Antoni Serra one of the first ceramists in Spain who found an artistic ceramics workshop/studio. Josep Serra with his brothers Antoni and Enric followed his father in the art of ceramics at Can Famades, the new Studio at Cornellà, Barcelona. Josep Serra became the Manager at Cerámicas Serra at the 1930s. The Serra brothers participated in different exhibitions and awards. Jordi Serra...
Ceramic, Terracotta
1960s Mid-Century Modern W. Germany Ceramic Vase
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from mid-20th century Germany. Neither large nor small, this studio made pot reflects the hand-held, and the handmade; the tactility of process and the artist's vision...
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern W. Germany Ceramic Vase
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from mid-20th century Germany. Neither large nor small, this studio made pot reflects the hand-held, and the handmade; the tactility of process and the artist's vision...
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern W. Germany Ceramic Vase
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from mid-20th century Germany. Neither large nor small, this studio made pot reflects the hand-held, and the handmade; the tactility of process and the artist's vision...
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern W. Germany Ceramic Vase
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic vase from mid-20th century Germany. Neither large nor small, this studio made pot reflects the hand-held, and the handmade; the tactility of process and the artist's vision...
Ceramic
$4,263
H 11.02 in W 5.31 in D 5.9 in
Goldscheider Vienna Ceramics Sitting Lady with Two Dogs by Josef Lorenzl 1930
By Josef Lorenzl, Goldscheider Manufactory of Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Rarest Goldscheider Figure Group of the 1930s. The young lady in a blue trouser suit with a short brunette hairstyle sits on a large stool with a low backrest. With both hands, she ...
Ceramic
Contemporary 8 Large Egg Plates Ceramic Clay Handmade Mexican
By Lorenzo Lorenzzo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Ceramic 8 plate set with salt and pepper cart made in modern egg design by Lorenzo Lorenzzo Lorenzo's work alludes to his favourite meal, breakfast, creating a contemporary design f...
Majolica
Bunch of Blue Grapes, Ceramics by Hans Hedberg, Biot, France
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Large bunch of grapes designed by Hans Hedberg (1917-2007) Swedish ceramist who had his studio in Biot, near nice in France. The grapes comes with a stand in acrylic glass that is ...
Ceramic
$66Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.19 in W 4.73 in D 3.94 in
Set of Four Midcentury Ceramic Bowls, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This original vintage ceramic bowls element was designed and produced in the 1970s in Lombardia, Italy. It is made in Sommerso Technique and has ...
Glass, Ceramic
$188Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.6 in Dm 11.03 in
Handcrafted Contemporary 2 Ceramic Breakfast Egg Plates Majolica by Lorenzo
By Lorenzo Lorenzzo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Enhance your space with this elegant ceramic egg plate by Mexican artist Lorenzo Lorenzzo. Handcrafted in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, this versatile piece features a refined e...
Majolica
Danish Midcentury Hand Painted Ceramic Vase, 1950s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Scandinavian midcentury handpainted ceramic pitcher vase. Decorated with landscape motif of a Danish stone age viking grave built of large rocks. Multicolored unique decor...
Pottery, Ceramic, Stoneware
Harmfull Ceramics Sculpture by Alina Rotzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Harmfull ceramics sculpture by Alina Rotzinger Dimensions: H 35 x W 30 x D 20 cm. Materials: high temperature ceramics, oxide pigments and dead flowers. Composed by Alina Rotzin...
Other
Sold
H 5.12 in Dm 4.34 in
Contemporary Small Egg Shaped Blue & Green Ceramic Glazed Ornament by FD21 Clay
Located in London, England
No 35 Contemporary handmade small egg-shaped mottled dark blue, gold & green ceramic ornament. Designed and made by Brazilian ceramicist Flavio Diogo of FD21 Clay Dimensions: Diame...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Modern tray.
Located in Barcelona, ES
Decorative and functional tray in wood and ceramic. Dimensions: 35x17x2cm
Ceramic, Wood
Wauja, Céramique Indigène Zoomorphe, "Onça", 2020
Located in PARIS, FR
The indigenous ceramics of the Wauja community of Haut Xingu, Brazil, is a unique piece in the shape of an elongated "onça" (jaguar), inverted to t...
Ceramic
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic "Snake", Indigenous Reserve Xingu, Brazil
Located in PARIS, FR
This large ceramic is a contemporary creation of the Wauja tribe of the Upper Xingu Park. Made according to traditional methods with natural raw materials, its strong graphics make i...
Ceramic
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic, Orgus Bowl
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The ORGUS collection is composed of pieces with organic volumetry, all hand modeled in colored clay.
Ceramic
Traditions Pottery and Straw Fruit Bowl
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Traditions Pottery and straw fruit bowl was first presented in Carimbo Exhibition at Yankatu Gallery, in November 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is part of ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Straw, Wood
Traditions Pottery and Straw Fruit Bowl
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Traditions Pottery and straw fruit bowl was first presented in Carimbo Exhibition at Yankatu Gallery, in November 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is part of th...
Ceramic, Pottery, Straw, Wood
Contemporary Handmade - Tube Vase
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Morphus collection is composed of six vases with different proportions, all of them executed by hand on a ceramic lathe. This technique uses a rotating disk where the clay is pla...
Ceramic